William "Buck" Wagoner

William Columbus Wagoner, Jr. passed away on January 22, 2015 at the age of 93. He was known to many as Buck, but to family he was our beloved Pop. He was the ninth of ten children and grew up on a family farm in Richfield, North Carolina. He was a graduate of Richfield High School, Pfeiffer Junior College and Catawba College. He played varsity basketball at all three institutions. He then began Naval Officer Training at Northwestern University where he earned his commission as ensign.

On his first day at Pfeiffer College, he met Dorothy Russell Scarboro of Troy, North Carolina, and pronounced “that’s the woman I’m going to marry.” On May 12, 1944, they became the first couple to be married in the campus chapel. Days later, he was assigned as Executive Officer of LCI(C) 1075, an amphibious ship with a crew of 25 enlisted men and five officers. He was responsible for a ship transporting up to 220 troops and landing them on the beach. He participated in numerous operations in the South Pacific, concentrating in the Philippines and Borneo. When World War II ended, Buck became the Commanding Officer. He served in that capacity for four months, collecting troops in the Philippines and delivering them to staging areas where they were processed for their return home.

After being released from active duty, Buck continued his association with the Navy by serving in the Naval Reserve for 36 years. He spent two weeks on active duty each year. He served three years as Executive Officer of the Greensboro Reserve Unit including three years as Commanding Officer. He retired with the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

Upon his return to the U.S., Buck began a 35-year career with Sears, Roebuck & Company, first at the regional facility in Greensboro and later transferred to Atlanta. Upon retirement seven years later, he returned to Greensboro.

Buck loved tennis and golf, taught Sunday school and was active at his children’s schools. He thoroughly enjoyed spending time at the family oceanfront cottage on Oak Island with his children and grandchildren. He found the greatest joy in the simplest things and created a natural wonderland in his backyard. The birds and squirrels will talk of him for years to come. In his later years, he loved to read and work crossword puzzles, and enjoyed excellent health, which allowed him to take long walks until a recent decline. He will be forever missed.

Buck was preceded in death by his parents, William Columbus Wagoner, Sr. and Lizzie Mae Blackwelder Wagoner of Richfield, as well as five brothers and four sisters. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Dorothy (Dottie), son William Columbus Wagoner III, of New Bern, daughter Anne Cruthis and husband, David, of Randleman, son Jim Wagoner and wife, Barbara, of Meadows of Dan, VA, and daughter Nancy Borum and husband, Howard, of Greensboro, and grandchildren: Leigh Borum and husband, Chris Jackson, Braelyn Wagoner, Andrew Borum and wife, Maggie, Adam Cruthis and wife, Amy, Logan Wagoner, Kate Roach and husband, Garrett, Sarah Underwood and husband, Matt, Amron Eggers, and great-granddaughter Clara Eggers.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, January 25, at Hanes Lineberry Funeral Home, 515 North Elm Street in Greensboro. The family will receive friends beginning at 2 p.m. at the Funeral Home prior to the funeral services.

The family is very thankful for the loving care provided to Mr. Wagoner by the staff at Beacon Place. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27405. Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com.